Oliver Unruh

Oliver R. Unruh, 92, died April 24, 2015 at Kidron Bethel Healthcare, North Newton, Kansas.  He was born April 13, 1923 in Hillsboro, Kansas to Edward and Martha (Riesen) Unruh.  On September 10, 1947 he married Elizabeth R. Busenitz at Emmaus Mennonite Church in Whitewater, Kansas.  She died on December 24, 2014.

Oliver and Elizabeth were longtime Hillsboro residents, living in North Newton the last twelve years.  He was formerly a member of Brudertahl and Trinity Mennonite Churches of Hillsboro where he served in various roles within the church; he was currently a member of First Mennonite Church in Newton.

Oliver grew up and farmed on the same location northeast of Hillsboro until 2002.  He was gone from the farm only during his young adult years when he served in Civilian Public Service in Camp #55 in Belton, Montana and at the New Jersey State Hospital in Marlboro, New Jersey from 1945-1947.  Throughout his adult years in Hillsboro, Oliver was active in the Hillsboro Lions Club and also served the county as a member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.  He enjoyed participating with the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus and raising money for Mennonite Central Committee through their concerts.  Together with his wife, Oliver was involved in leadership in Marriage Encounter to help others and themselves enhance their marriages.  Travel was an important part of his life as he and Elizabeth enjoyed special trips to the Ukraine, Middle East, Europe, and visited all 50 states.

Oliver is survived by his sons:  Vern and his wife Sherry Unruh of Fayetteville, North Carolina and Charles and his wife Lynn Unruh of Marion, Kansas; daughters:  Viv Nabhani of Greenville, South Carolina, Carol and her husband Dave Abrams of Phoenix, Arizona, and Trish and her husband Bob Miller of Goshen, Indiana; four brothers: Jim and his wife Ruth of Lodi, California, Earl and his wife Elva Unruh of Kansas City, Missouri,  Floyd and his wife Jane Unruh of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Ken and his wife Linda Unruh of Merced, California.  He is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Besides his wife of 67 years, Oliver is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Norman Dale Unruh and brother Donald Unruh.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the First Mennonite Church in Newton.  Immediately following the service will be a meal followed by visitation and sharing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:   First Mennonite Church for the Balcony Window Fund, 429 East First Street, Newton, KS 67114.